Monday, August 26, 2013

On my desk this morning is an almost finished album of my baby girl's first year! I officially started it way back in Spring 2012 when I was on maternity leave with her. But truthfully at that time I only did maybe part of one layout. I did most of the pages this past February/March when I was laid off from one of my jobs.

I love that it is packed full of memories! I have always used post bound albums. I had one 3-ring album and just didn't like how it sat on the shelf for some reason...so didn't really use it until recently. But I decided that I wanted to put her album into a 3 ring because it had gotten so full and I was adding in a few pages here and there and that is a pain with a post bound album. This weekend I picked up this colorful chevron album at Michael's...it's a Becky Higgins Project Life album. I don't do PL but loved this album. A typically pastel baby color just doesn't fit my little girl! I'm so excited about how this has come together. Today I need to go through all the pages and see which one's still need dates added and little details. There are 3 or 4 pages that need to be finished...and I like to do a title page. Over the next few weeks I'll finish it up.

I also worked on a few more layouts this weekend during nap time...I tend to scrap in bulk. When I do get a chance to sit down I finish quite a bit....

1. You Make Me Happy: I got this second piece of Crate Paper's sunshine paper from The Pier collection at my LSS recently because I had already used up a piece I got in Cocoa Daisy kit and loved both sides. I used the opposite side on another layout but loved this wide chevron. I played around with layers and blocks, some washi tape paper I picked up recently and some old stickers. This layout is about a walk to the boulevard and beach with my parents this spring around when my dad was finishing up rounds of chemo before surgery. Memories with them and Ellie are bright spots for all of us with these challenges going on...

2. Learning to Brush: I just love these pictures! My husband was helping her learn and she picked it up quick! I used the June Cocoa Daisy kit for this layout. Trying to work finish up the kit...pretty simple layout.

3. @the Show: This is a follow-up layout to another I did about our trip to Disney on Ice this winter. The two layouts don't "match" I just used colors for each to set the mood of the photos. These were some neat shots I got of the skaters and Ellie clapping. I used to figure skate for about 10+years so it is special for me to take her to her first ice show!

4. Big Snow: This was my favorite layout I finished. It is about the blizzard we had this past winter. The photo is outside our condo door. I used all icy colors and some new Thickers I picked up at Marshall's for $1.49 this past week. The rhinestone snowflakes have been in my stash for years!

5. Happy Snow: This title is supposed to have some humor to those who know the story. Ellie did not like the snow and/or her snowsuit too much! I took her out the day after the blizzard and she just looked miserable! And she is a February baby! I think I want to add a bit of journaling under the photo and title to tell the story. The "Happy Snow" card is cool...I got this on a bus trip with my LSS. Every fall they get a coach bus and it travels to all the local shops. At the Paper Source in Boston they gave us a little bag full of goodies and there were a few winter letter pressed card pieces in it. This was one of them....they are so pretty.

Hoping to get some things done around the house today. It's my last week of only working at my clinical job. The college classes I teach start up next friday. And I'm feeling a bit under the weather today. Ugh. Kids and their germs!

Monday, August 5, 2013

One Year Later: Used my June Cocoa Daisy kit. I think this one is my favorite layout. Clean and simple.

Ooh: Another favorite. I love this background paper! Used some elements from June Cocoa Daisy kit and then scraps from my stash.

You Make Me Smile: I have had this elephant paper for years....happy to use it with this photo.

Waiting for the show!: I am in love with this background paper! And it fit the theme perfectly:)

Had a few girlfriends over on Saturday and I got this stack of layouts done. Might add a few details here and there (like dates the photos were taken) but they are mostly done. I need to budget out money to buy two 3 ring scrapbooks. I have one from years ago. I loved how simple it was to use but I really don't like how they sit on my shelves...they stick out really far. So I have always used post-bound. But I'm finding that Ellie's 1st year baby book outgrew the postbound album. It's literally busting at the seams. And in general I don't scrap chronologically. So I think a 3-ring would be useful for me. I have one that I'm using for my childhood/old photos album and it has been helpful for that project. I just find they are so expensive! I usually buy albums with a coupon at M's. Have to see if I can do that for a 3-ring.

Looking forward to a fun Monday. My husband has the day of...which NEVER happens! So we are planning to go to the beach this a.m. Unfortunately I have class tonight....but we will enjoy our day.